Central Region (Ghana)

Central Region
region
Flag
Location of Central Region in Ghana
Districts of Central region
Country	Ghana
Capital	Cape Coast
Districts	17
Government
• Regional Minister	Aquinas Quansah
Area
• Total	9,826 km^2 (3,794 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 8th
Population (2010 Census)
• Total	2,201,863
• Rank	Ranked 8th
• Density	220/km^2 (580/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
• Year	2013
• Per capita	$5,150
GDP (Nominal)
• Year	2013
• Per capita	$2,500
Time zone	GMT
Area code(s)	033
ISO 3166 code	GH-CP

The Central Region is located on the peninsula of Ashantiland and it is one of the ten administrative regions of Ghana. It is bordered by Ashanti and Eastern regions to the north, Western region to the west, Greater Accra region to the east, and to the south by the Gulf of Guinea. The Central region is renowned for its many elite higher education institutions and an economy based on an abundance of industrial minerals and tourism. The Central region attains many tourist attractions such castles, forts and beaches stretched along the Central region's coastline.

Economy and tourism

Theora Video of beach on the coast of Winneba in the Effutu Municipal of the Central region.

The Central Region is a hub of education on the peninsula of Ashantiland and in Ghana, with some of the best schools in the country. The region's economy is dominated by services followed by mining and fishing. Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle are prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites and serve as a reminder of the slave trade. The Central Region is a major center for tourism within the peninsula of Ashantiland and it has some of the most beautiful beaches, and national parks (Kakum National Park). U.S. President Barack Obama made his first international trip to the city of Cape Coast in 2009.

Panorama of Elmina Castle that was erected by Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine) Castle, also known simply as Mina or Feitoria da Mina) in present-day Elmina, Ashantiland (formerly the Gold Coast region). It was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, so is the oldest European building in existence below the Sahara. First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic slave trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637, and took over all the Portuguese Gold Coast in 1642. The slave trade continued under the Dutch people until 1814. Today Elmina Castle is a popular historical site, and was a major filming location for Werner Herzog's 1987 drama film Cobra Verde. The castle is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Education

Universities

University of Cape Coast Faculty of Education Lecture Theatre building.

Adisadel College.

• University of Cape Coast
• University of Education, Winneba

Cuisine

African threadfish (Alectis alexandrina), from Cape Coast on the Peninsula Ashantiland.

Black jack fish (Caranx lugubris), from Cape Coast on the Peninsula Ashantiland.

The Central Region is well known for its varied Ashanti cuisine. Kenkey and Fufu are both eaten with a variety of sauces, stews, and soups. Seafood is commonly eaten across the Central Region.

Districts

The Central Region comprises 17 districts:^[1]

Districts in Central region
#	District	Population
1	Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese
2	Agona East
3	Agona West Municipal
4	Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam
5	Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa
6	Assin North Municipal
7	Assin South
8	Awutu Senya
9	Cape Coast Metropolitan
10	Effutu Municipal
11	Gomoa East
12	Gomoa West
13	Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem Municipal
14	Mfantsiman Municipal
15	Twifo/Heman/Lower Denkyira
16	Upper Denkyira East Municipal
17	Upper Denkyira West
Total

Famous native citizens

Famous native citizens of Central region
#	Citizen	Settlement
1	Ishmael Yartei	Agona Swedru
2	Yvonne Nelson	Cape Coast
3	Jackie Appiah	Cape Coast
4	Menaye Donkor	Cape Coast
5	Paul Boateng	Cape Coast
6	Van Vicker	Cape Coast
7	Majid Michel	Cape Coast
8	Michael Essien	Cape Coast
9	John Mensah	Cape Coast
10	Lydia Forson	Cape Coast
11	Kwesi Amissah-Arthur	Cape Coast
12	Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings	Cape Coast
13	Paa Kwesi Nduom	Elmina
14	Aquinas Tawiah Quansah
15	John Evans Atta Mills	Cape Coast

References

1. "List of All MMDAs in Ghana - Central Region". ghanadistricts.com website. Retrieved 2009-10-17.

Coordinates: 5°30′N 1°00′W / 5.500°N 1.000°W